Russo Brothers Just Hinted Their Marvel Journey Might Not End With ‘Secret Wars’
The Russo Brothers have spent over a decade shaping the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and their fingerprints are all over some of its most defining moments. From ‘Captain America The Winter Soldier’ to ‘Avengers Endgame’, Joe and Anthony Russo made quite a splash when they directed their first film for Marvel Studios with 2014’s ‘Captain America The Winter Soldier,’ before returning for ‘Captain America Civil War,’ ‘Avengers Infinity War,’ and ‘Avengers Endgame.’ Now they are back in the director’s chair for two more massive team up movies.
Their current commitment covers ‘Avengers Doomsday’ and ‘Avengers Secret Wars,’ with Robert Downey Jr returning to the franchise as Doctor Doom in what many are calling one of the biggest villain shifts the MCU has attempted in years. The two films are being treated as a single closed story rather than the launchpad for an endless run, and that framing has fans wondering just how far the Russos plan to take this ride.
That question got a real answer this week. Speaking at a Deadline Studios panel during SXSW London, Anthony Russo was asked directly whether he and his brother could continue directing Marvel films after ‘Secret Wars,’ and his response set social media buzzing. He explained that the current chapter mirrors what they once believed was true of ‘Endgame,’ saying the story arc they began felt complete at the time too.
Anthony then delivered the line that sparked the current wave of speculation. “Whether or not we all collaborate with Marvel beyond that is certainly a possibility,” he said, “but right now, the vision, the narrative vision, is just through ‘Secret Wars’ at this point.” Joe Russo followed with a lighter note, joking that the team would simply wait and see what they look like in photos by 2028 before deciding anything.
The timing of these comments is not accidental. Fansite The Cosmic Circus has claimed the Russos are already developing another ‘Avengers’ movie beyond the two currently announced, with speculation ranging from a standalone follow up to ‘Secret Wars’ potentially being split into two films. That rumor remains unconfirmed, but Anthony’s willingness to leave the door open has only added fuel to the fire.
For now, the Russos remain locked into their existing workload. Joe Russo noted the team is still doing work on ‘Avengers Doomsday’ and expects to remain on it until roughly November, at which point the film gets handed off for final finishing touches, while ‘Secret Wars’ has already moved into early pre production. ‘Avengers Doomsday’ arrives in theaters on December 18, 2026, with ‘Avengers Secret Wars’ following on December 17, 2027, closing out the Multiverse Saga in a way that could either be a true ending or simply the start of the next Russo era.
With Marvel fans already dissecting every word from that SXSW London panel, the bigger debate is only getting louder online. Do you think the Russo Brothers should stick around for a seventh ‘Avengers’ movie, or is it time for Marvel Studios to hand the reins to someone new after ‘Secret Wars’ wraps things up?
